New releases WILL be at GAME this Friday

Rumours that this week's big releases will not be available in GAME are untrue, MCV can confirm.

Metal Gear Solid: HD Collection, Final Fantasy XIII-2 and Soul Calibur V are currently being processed by the retailer, despite claims circulating in the consumer press.

However, MCV can also confirm that GAME is facing challenges regarding its credit insurance and that its financial landscape has changed significantly since the beginning of the year.

It is now having to work individually with publishers to find answers to the financing problems, though internally the retailer has been reassured by how supportive the games industry has been thus far. It is currently engaged in talks regarding future releases.

Rumours that staff wages have not been paid are also untrue.

GAME also insists that the problems that lead to the non-appearance of Resident Evil: Revelations last week were not linked to credit and were instead the fault of website errors”.

However, that's not to say that GAME is not facing stern challenges. The chain admitted last month that it will struggle to meet EBITDA covenants requirements by February 27th.

And speaking anonymously to MCV, one publisher executive stated: No credit from the agencies means no stock for the stores. It's going to get worse before it gets better. You won't find a new release this Friday.”

Clearly the stock claim is untrue, but it does betray the potential seriousness of the situation behind closed doors.